With the start of the fall semester fast approaching, Northeastern University is putting the finishing touches on a number of renovation projects around campus, including the addition of new classroom space, improvements to a number of existing venues and revamped dining options.

Many of the year’s largest capital construction projects take place during the summer months, when life on campus slows down somewhat, explained Northeastern’s vice president for facilities, Nancy May.

“We understand that a high quality of life on campus is critical, which is why we are always looking at infrastructure upgrades and enhancements to areas of campus that can be made,” she explained. “We do our best to cycle our projects and plan them so our biggest construction happens in the summer months, when there is the least potential for disruption.”

The most significant projects of the summer include the third, and final, phase of renovations to Ell Hall’s Blackman Auditorium, which now boasts new seats, new dressing rooms and improved access to the stage for people with physical disabilities.

Across Krentzman Quad, nine new classrooms have been added to Richards Hall. The University Honors Program will be relocated from West Village F, a move that will provide space in that building for a new Visitor’s Center and offices for Admissions staff currently based at Richards Hall, May said.

Kariotis Hall also has benefitted from classroom improvements, including technological upgrades such as new video-streaming systems.

A new sports medicine and performance center for student athletes–similar to one that opened last year in Matthews Arena–was constructed this summer in the Cabot Center.

Students returning in the fall will be greeted by three new dining experiences: Subway in Ryder Hall, which replaces Mondo Subs; Argo Tea in Snell Library’s Cyber Café; and a completely renovated Rebecca’s Café in Churchill Hall.

A variety of upgrades to Stetson East and West residence halls are nearing completion, including construction on the student lounges, study spaces and bathrooms, as well as the installation of fire protection sprinklers.